5 Simple Decluttering Habits For a Well-Edited Closet

Oh my gosh.. im pausing because... Thank you!! Ive strugggled to edit my black pencil skirts.. i have multiples.. but they are in various lengths, weights, fabrics, slightly variated.. and i love them! They are my favorite wardrobe item!! Ive decluttered a few but have regretted it.. i keep adding them when i find them.. i also have multiple striped button downs but they are all different!!! Ive decluttered them as well and tegret it because i wear/ wore them but because ive watched so many edit your closet videos i started to believe i shouldnt have so many.. anyway.. yes! Who is the internet to tell me i have too many!! Thanks Alyssa!

As an actual life-long writing editor, culling a closet is EXACTLY the same: focusing the 'main idea,' removing 'unnecessary wording,' streamlining. It's all about streamlining and a clear focus. AND, as with one's writing, there is most often an emotional element involved, why we don't want to let go of wording, phrasing, or an idea that 'doesn't fit' with the 'whole'. What an excellent analogy you've offered! ❤

I have lived a long time (72yrs) loving clothes! I sorely regret getting rid of clothes bought during my 20's and 30's as they were either vintage from the 30's 40's made out of exceptional fabrics or from designers who became iconic (Mary Quant, Biba, Ossie Clark). Luckily, I held on to a couple of YSL pieces from the 70's. I never imagined that quality fabrics would become a rarity otherwise I would have kept everything I owned and had them re-purposed! With that in mind, I no longer get rid of anything that is well crafted in beautiful fabrics. If one day I want to wear them again, I reckon that I can re-purpose. Also, if I come across a beautiful piece that I fall in love with, I buy it! What I love has always fitted into my wardrobe. My style is classic with a twist, so the love bombs are often the "twist" that keeps on giving. I would say that having a wardrobe that fits your lifestyle is key. Now retired, living in a seaside location, I need lovely sleep and home wear. Great summer and beach outfits, in addition to a couple of capsule wardrobes to cover spring, autumn, winter in european cities. Your video has been great food for thought. Thank you so much for you continual inspiration!!

I own multiples of the exact same pieces sometimes. Not different colours even. Exact same duplicates. And I love it, because those are my favourites and this makes them last longer and I can wear the same style more often. I don't regret it :)

I have a blouse that I really love but always wore it a certain way. This year I have lost a LOT of weight and the only clothing that fit were my socks! I had to declutter and purchase new things. I kept the old blouse because it’s an easy alter to bring the size down and knowing this I kept on reaching for it to see if it would work with the new size me. Each time it would go back into the hold section, I was stuck. I was surfing youtube looking putting outfits together and saw a similar blouse styled a way I hadn’t considered with trousers I have in my closet. My beautiful altered blouse has lovely old memories and new ones. I get compliments on my new blouse and no one realises it’s my old blouse because of how I style it. So if you are having a hard time integrating an item do a search of how others are wearing it. Thank you for your videos ❤

Thank you for posting. Guilt and shame about letting things go, about money spent on this you do not use or wear can become such huge obstacles to overcome and become so overwhelming that you just turn away from the closet clutter. Learning to accept yourself, to admit the money is already spent and that it's OK to let go are all such wonderful tools in the battle between mind over matter....Thank you for these positive reminders!

Love your message here. A well-edited closet does take time but is so worth the effort. My closet now feels like a boutique and brings me joy instead of anxiety. Thank you so much, Alyssa!

On shopping to self soothe: after experiencing my first earthquake in San Jose CR, I immediately went out and bought 3 pairs of shoes!

I do agree. HOWEVER i have pieces that i might not wearfor a season or two and then i go back and pick them up again. That said i never ever ever worry About saying goodbuy to clothes i dont like anymore. They just go🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Instead of the black blazer that you used as an example, I have 4 faux leather black jackets which might sound excessive, but they each have different proportions and are unique. I enjoy each of them. I enjoy your videos on editing and elements of style.❤

Consistency, intentionality & reflection are great for editing our closets… and our lives! Also enjoy being part of the Studio Community… love your white blouse, too!😉

This video is just what I needed after listening to your excellent podcast SUSTAIN THIS of April 23rd titled “Is it a “fit” or is it just Pinterest? Why your outfits never look like the inspo photo”. I’ve been taking those lost leaders in my closet and finding new ways to wear them by figuring out what I can wear with them so that they emit a certain feeling I want to exude. Your numerous tips on how Pinterest can help me figure this out has been so helpful. Now, if something doesn’t feel like it can work with other pieces I already have and if it doesn’t makes me feel really good about what I see in the mirror, then it needs to find a new home. That podcast has forever changed how I look at the clothes I already have in my closet, duplicates or not (and I do have a number of duplicates!). Thank you to you, Signe and Christina. 😊

I keep a bag for donations of things that I want to give to someone who needs them. It feels good to release pieces of clothing or other items that I don't use. The stuff goes to a Free Store that helps refugees and other folks who really need these things. No guilt. Just a sense of helping others.

In my closet and in my life I always use this "algorithm": 1. start bold (like get rid of all the clothes you don't like) and then 2. improve it day by day, consciously To do that: Understand where you're heading. Learn from your mistakes (or others mistakes), take time to have some reflection. There is this philosophy Kaizen, take small steps to improve. I have the feeling either you know it Alyssa or just reinvented it (this is me also: I find out what I was doing was described 😊) Love ❤

I really like the idea of being the editor of my closet

I'm totally with you on the idea of being my own editor as I go along. Gone are the days of big thrift hauls and big declutters for this style enthusiast. It's all about intentionality and a slower pace.

I love your insights about editing our closet. It is less overwhelming than other decluttering advices and journaling about the why is a good idea. Thank you

Today you helped me make a number of difficult decisions - I ended up parting with trousers and skirts, which I was keeping “just in case they will fit one day” and I feel lighter. 😅 My friend who will potentially like at least some of these, will be glad, and so will the environment 😊I also tried on some styling options and I found a few new and fresh ideas when shopping my own closet! You are an inspiration. Thank you, Alyssa😊

I like the recommendation of putting out items that are hard to style. It is a visual reminder why they don’t belong in the rotation. I have items I love but hardly wear for various reasons. I almost always ended up returning them (shoes especially). I don’t take down tags and always keep my receipts for future return.

Another consideration is the remorseless race to the quality bottom. I rehomed a number of pieces during the pandemic that I wish now that I'd just taken to the tailor for a style refresh. I'd thought so blithely "oh I'll just buy a new one that's more current," but when we were free to mingle in public again - I was shocked by how crap the quality of literally everything had gotten. Synthetic winter coats that won't keep you warm or dry; things now unlined that need to be lined to be durable and hang right; silk pieces with shoddy overlocked seams already fraying etc etc. Long story short: if the main reason you're editing is that something isn't "in style" maybe put it in storage for a season or two. Can it be tailored? Once the piece is gone, it's gone and you may not be able to replace it with something you can really live with.